The Ministry of Industry and Commerce reported a 10% decrease in Afghanistan’s exports to Pakistan during the first five months of the current solar year. Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, the spokesperson for the ministry, attributes the decline to Pakistan’s failure to adhere to trade agreements between the two countries.
Trade with Regional Countries Amounts to $4.6 Billion
During this period, trade with regional countries amounted to $4.6 billion, with $509 million in exports and approximately $4.091 billion in imports. In the first five months of 1402, exports were about $568 million, and imports were around $3.211 billion.
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Call for Resolving Challenges
Some fresh fruit and vegetable exporters have emphasized resolving the challenges between the two countries and called for the creation of alternative trade routes with Pakistan. Mirwais Haji Zada, a trader, said that the sudden closure of routes like Torkham is a major blow, and trade with Pakistan may approach zero in the near future if these problems persist.
Need for Agreements with Iran and Central Asian Countries
Omid Haidari, another trader, suggested the need for an agreement with Iran to export to Turkey through Iran. He also emphasized attracting the attention of Central Asian countries, Iran, and India to invest in the Chabahar port.
Most Exports to Pakistan, India, and UAE
According to information from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in the first five months of the current solar year, most of Afghanistan’s exports were to Pakistan, India, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Turkey, China, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the Netherlands, Russia, Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
